The use of puppets in children's grief groups: an exploratory study

Abstract

This exploratory study examines the effectiveness of children in grief groups using puppetry as a therapeutic tool. It addresses the following three specific questions: 1.) What types of feeling words do the children use when they act as puppeteer? 2.) Do children use more feeling words to express their grief when they use act as puppeteer versus when a facilitator acted as puppeteer? 3.) How can puppetry be used to develop new ways of helping bereaved children heal? In the review of the literature, these questions are examined by looking at how children grieve; therapeutic interventions currently used; how the cognitive and developmental stage of the child affects their grieving; the family dynamics of grieving; as well as the major contributions of play therapy and puppetry as therapeutic interventions. An example application of this therapeutic intervention is applied and reviewed. Finally, suggestions are made for further research in this area.